Effects of Acute and Repeated Administration of Methamphetamine on Aggression-Related Behavior During Adolescence in Male and Female Rats, and Subsequent Outcomes in Early Adulthood

Title:Effects of Acute and Repeated Administration of Methamphetamine on Aggression-Related Behavior During Adolescence in Male and Female Rats, and Subsequent Outcomes in Early Adulthood

Volume: 5

Author(s): Courtney L. Lowther and Robert N. Hughes

Affiliation:

Keywords: Adolescence, aggression, methamphetamine, play fighting, rat, resident/intruder test.

Abstract: Background: Although methamphetamine (MA) use during adolescence has become associated with increased aggressive, violent, and criminal behavior in humans, there is a relative lack of empirical research substantiating any direct link between acute and repeated exposure to the drug, and heightened aggression. There is also little known about exposure during adolescence and subsequent effects on aggression in adulthood.

Objective: The study aimed to determine effects of a single dose and repeated administration of MA on aggression-related behavior in adolescent rats, and subsequent effects in early adulthood.

Method: Male and female adolescent rats were administered saline (via intraperitoneal injection) or a single dose of MA (2mg/kg) on postnatal day (PND) 35 followed by the same dose twice a day from PND36 to PND45. By means of the resident/intruder test, aggression-related behavior was assessed in all rats following their single exposure, after completion of the final repeated exposure, and again in early adulthood (PND90) after 45 drug-free days.

Results: Both a single and repeated exposures to MA generally decreased aggression-related behavior in the adolescent animals. However, when tested again in early adulthood, increased aggression followed their adolescent experiences.

Conclusion: While the effects of MA during adolescence could have arisen from decreased aggression, increased anxiety or decreased play fighting, its subsequent effects during early adulthood suggested changes in the developing adolescent brain that resulted in higher aggression.

Cite this article as:

L. Lowther Courtney and N. Hughes Robert, Effects of Acute and Repeated Administration of Methamphetamine on Aggression-Related Behavior During Adolescence in Male and Female Rats, and Subsequent Outcomes in Early Adulthood, Current Psychopharmacology 2016; 5 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2211556005666160318003312